crex meadows wildlife area

During our Staycation in Burnett County in mid March, we stopped by the Crex Meadows refuge. The visitor center has a few nice exhibits that helps orientate one before heading out into the refuge. There is an about 1 mile trail on a raised platform right behind the center, but this is really a driving refuge- you enter the refuge from any number of dirt roads to a number of raised dikes that allow you to move around to see the bird life- in the summer mostly waterfowl and the famous Trumpeter Swans. Don't forget to look up - you may see large Bald Eagle nests. Ice had not quite yet gone out so the waterfowl was limited - we did see some swans at a distance. But it was still beautiful - 30,000 acres of beautiful. In the spring and fall I am sure it is magical, but it is forever beautiful.

Although we were a bit early to see the large gathering of cranes, we still enjoyed our visit and plan to return. It's an unusual, seemingly empty landscape, but if you wait quietly, something almost always passes by in the water or the air. The history of Crex Meadows is very interesting, as is the wonderful visitors' center on the edge of Grantsburg.

Great place to visit for children and adults alike to learn about local wildlife and wild flowers. They offer videos and guided and self guided tours of the area but much can be seen and enjoyed from a driving tour of the area if time is more limited. They offer detailed driving maps. This is an area of open water, meadows and heavy forest so if you plan any walking tours or general hiking use of an insect repellent is very highly recommended.

I have visited several times - sometimes with family members. It is a great resource for the region. We have seen wolves, trumpeter swans, a harrier & lots of birds that I can't identify. We have always enjoyed it. Bring water and picnic food and enjoy the picnic grounds near the north of wildlife area. Visitor center staff are friendly and competent and willing to answer questions. Staff will also turn on 2 short beautifully done films showing the park & wildlife throughout the seasons.

if you are going to see the cranes be advised that you may not see the cranes close-up when they come in to roost at Crex Meadows. They come in waves, way up in the sky, it's definitely fun to see. Crex Meadows is a beautiful area so spend some time slowly driving around. During the day, we did see a few cranes and trumpeter swans but we saw the most cranes on land by driving around the Grantsburg area looking in farmers fields-that was fun too.

Crex meadows has some serious history, back in the 20's they cut the tall grasses to make carpet, But you get back into some of the areas and you feel very remote. I would like to get back there and explore via the atv trails

This wildlife area has good roads, a variety of habitats, and a broad range of bird species. It is an excellent location for birding. A scope is helpful in several areas and bring bugspray.

This is a vast area with gravel roads going in all directions. We were there to go birding. We saw many birds, but also turtles, beaver, otters, butterflies, dragonflies, ground squirrels and a gray fox.We spent hours driving slowly through the area and saw only 3 to 4 cars the whole time. There is only one bathroom, besides the visitor center, so plan accordingly.

I love just going out and driving though the place. on the skinny old forgoten about roads. plenty of places to just stop and chill. really washes a bad day away quick. and it's only 15 min from my house.

We live just 15 miles from here and like to drive over to see the large amount of wildlife that is in the park.

Each fall, thousands of Sandhill Crane gather at Crex Meadows before heading south to Georgia and Florida for the winter. They roost in the protected refuge in the evening and in the morning head out enmass to the farm fields surrounding Crex. It's a fantastic sight at sunrise to see them rise and fly off. Even better, in late October and November, sunrise isn't until after 7 AM. The sights and sounds of some many large birds taking wing is a treat for the entire family. A modern visitors center provides maps and information on the wildlife refuge.